OneGeology: Operational Management Group meeting

OneGeology is a global initiative to improve the accessibility of one fundamental environmental dataset - geological map data. In addition it is improving the interoperability of that data and the exchange of know-how and experience.

OneGeology has been hugely successful and today 116 nations are participating, with 50 of those nations serving geological data to a dynamic web map portal. The OneGeology concept grew out of several stimuli - the UN International Year of Planet Earth; increasing demand for geological surveys to produce digital data for their territories; the spatial data infrastructures being planned in many nations and regions (e.g. the INSPIRE Directive in Europe); the frustratingly slow development of interoperability in the geosciences; and last but not least, the need to address the digital divide between the developed and developing nations.

OneGeology’s proposition was to design and initiate a multi-national project to mobilise geological surveys to act as the drivers and sustainable data providers of a global dataset, and use the vehicle of creating a tangible geological “map” to accelerate progress of a data model and interchange standard for geoscience data. At the same time the initiative would transfer know-how to developing countries, reduce the length and expense of their learning curve and help them to serve maps and data that could attract investment.

OneGeology is governed by a Steering Group comprising six Directors, representing the geological surveys in each of the six continents. An international Operational Management Group drawn from geological surveys across the world oversees the implementation of OneGeology methodologies and systems and ensures engagement with data providers. The core management and technical services of OneGeology are provided by the British and French geological surveys.